Advanced Manufacturing

Introduction to the Special Issue on Manufacturing: New Industries, Progressive Approaches?

by Jennifer Clark

Clark, Jennifer and Pierre Clavel (2012) Introduction: A Progressive Approach to Manufacturing Policy. Special Issue: Manufacturing: New Industries, Progressive Approaches? Progressive Planning. No. 190 Winter 2012.

Manufacturing has long been the focus for progressive reforms. But these reforms, pushed by labor in the 1930s and... more Manufacturing has long been the focus for progressive reforms. But these reforms, pushed by labor in the 1930s and 1940s, did not particularly involve city planners, and the idea of “progressive planning” that emerged in the 1960s focused on community and neighborhood struggles over urban renewal, highway clearances and the depredations of real estate developers—not necessarily manufacturing. The question now is whether, with changes in manufacturing, and new initiatives from the Obama administration, progressives can make a contribution through the manufacturing sector, and whether professional planners can play a role at all.We asked a group of geographers and planners—academics and practitioners with track records looking at manufacturing—to give brief reports on issues that might interest readers of Progressive Planning.

The Collaborative Work Concept and the Information Systems Support: Perspectives for and from Manufacturing Industry

by António B. Moniz

Published in: Technikfolgenabschätzung – Theorie und Praxis 2 16 (2007): pp. 49-57.

Most of the discussion and controversy on organisation of work concepts has been referenced to the manufacturing... more Most of the discussion and controversy on organisation of work concepts has been referenced to the manufacturing industry along the 20th century: it started with the concept of “scientific management” from Taylor, and continued with the new ideas on the importance of human factors as Mayo pointed out in the 1930s. Immediately after the 2nd World War Friedmann studied the human problems related to new manufacturing technologies and automation. And the late 1950 and 1960s were decades of strong debate on the socio-technics with the research at Tavistock Institute of London and the emergence of national programmes on new forms of work organisation.
At the end of the last century the concept of collaborative work was developed together with the definition(s) of information systems and organisational design. However, the interest came from other production activities, like the services. This article analyses the approaches developed on these debates on the collaborative work and information system and its application to the manufacturing industry.

Power in Firm Networks: What it Means for Regional Innovation Systems

by Jennifer Clark

Christopherson, Susan and Jennifer Clark (2007) Power in Firm Networks: What it Means for Regional Innovation Systems.  Regional Studies, The Journal of the Regional Studies. Vol. 41.9. pp. 1223-1236. December.

CHRISTOPHERSON S. and CLARK J. (2007) Power in firm networks: what it means for regional innovation systems, Regional... more CHRISTOPHERSON S. and CLARK J. (2007) Power in firm networks: what it means for regional innovation systems, Regional Studies 41, 1223–1236.

The role of power within regional firm networks is noted in empirical studies but insufficiently theorized.
It is suggested that network functioning is conflictual and that more powerful network members, particularly transnational corporations (TNCs), leverage regional resources to advance their sustainable competitive advantage. The agendas and power exercised by TNCs within regionalized firm networks have significant implications for regional policy and the uneven allocation of resources and capacities within and among regions. The findings indicate that transnational firm access to resources that are critical to innovation, including university research and skilled labour, negatively affects the potential for innovation by small and medium size firms.

A Typology of Innovation Districts: What it Means for Regional Resilience.

by Jennifer Clark

Clark, Jennifer, Hsin I. Huang, and John P. Walsh (2010) A Typology of Innovation Districts: What it Means for Regional Resilience. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society. 3(1):121-137.

In this article, we engage the question of regional resilience theoretically and empirically. Our theoretical approach... more In this article, we engage the question of regional resilience theoretically and empirically. Our theoretical approach merges discussions of regional development in evolutionary economic geography (primarily UK based) with regional resilience in urban planning (primarily US based) using Markusen’s industrial districts as a framework for analysis (1996). We use data on ‘triadic’ patents (USA, Japan and Europe) to measure regional innovation, both per capita by region and categorized by firm size for regions in the USA. We then use this data to create a ‘typology of innovation districts’. Our analysis suggests that policies encouraging small-firm innovation have broad benefits for regional economies.

Keywords: regions, resilience, industrial districts, innovation systems, small firms

JEL Classifications: O32, R11, R58

Is There a Progressive Approach to Innovation Policy?

by Jennifer Clark

Clark, Jennifer (2012) Is there a Progressive Approach to Innovation Policy? Special Issue: Manufacturing: New Industries, Progressive Approaches? Progressive Planning. No. 190 Winter 2012.

A reimaging of manufacturing policy requires looking again at innovation and what it means for the long-run viability... more A reimaging of manufacturing policy requires looking again at innovation and what it means for the long-run viability of the neighborhoods and communities that constitute our regional economies. Innovation leads to adaptation, flexibility, and resilience of local economies. Consistent innovation, deployed through a network of advanced manufacturers, presents the possibility of a sustainable production system capable of adapting over time rather than collapsing. In this context then, advanced manufacturing policy, requires a progressive approach to innovation investments.

The Role of Cooperative Research Centers in Multi­scalar Innovation and Economic Development Policy in Canada and the US

by Jennifer Clark

Chapter in Boardman, C., D. Gray, and D. Rivers, eds.Cooperative Research Centers and Open Innovation: Policies, Strategies, and Organizational Dynamics of the New Science and Engineering Management. New York: Springer (forthcoming 2012)

Since the mid‐1990s, cooperative research centers (CRCs) have emerged as critical sites for the implementation and... more Since the mid‐1990s, cooperative research centers (CRCs) have emerged as critical sites for the implementation and coordination of multi‐scalar innovation policy in many industrialized and industrializing countries (Perry 2007; Lal 2011). Although economic geographers have engaged in an extensive policy debate about the role of the region in economic development and governance, in science and technology (S&T) policy discussions of the scale of policy interventions have lagged behind a focus on the technologies themselves (Pike, Rodríguez‐Pose et al. 2006). Innovation + development (I+D) centers‐‐‐functioning as cooperative research centers sited at the intersection of regional economic development strategies and federal and state R&D policy‐‐‐ are the notable exception.
This chapter argues for an increased role for the region‐‐‐‐as an economic unit rather than political factor‐‐‐in the placement and coordination of I+D Centers. Through a comparison of how a “conscious geography” informs the organization of I+D research centers in the US and Canada, this analysis focuses on the variation in the models of multi‐scalar policy coordination deployed through the I+D Center networks in the US and Canada.

The impact of advanced manufacturing technology on small Welsh companies

by Andrew Walters

Doctoral Thesis

This research is concerned with the impact of advanced manufacturing technologies on small Welsh companies. The use of... more This research is concerned with the impact of advanced manufacturing technologies on small Welsh companies. The use of technology has been demonstrated to be a mechanism for increasing competitiveness in manufacturing. With increasing global competition, such improvements in competitiveness are important for manufacturers. However, despite the use of such technology being advocated as an important tool in developing competitive advantage, little research has been undertaken into how small companies might utilise such tools.
This research draws on the technology adoption experiences of twelve case-study companies to gain an understanding of the impact of such technology and the critical factors that influence successful development. The research is presented in two stages. The first stage is the development of case-studies from interviews with ten manufacturing managers. This is followed by a stage of longitudinal research that observed attempts to introduce advanced manufacturing technology in two further companies over a one- to two-year period.
The conclusions of the research demonstrate that for these small companies, availability of support is at least as important as cost. In addition, the study reveals a distinction between
inherent and integrated benefits from technology. Inherent benefits refer to a match between company requirements and technology capabilities. Integrated benefits refer to achievable
benefits as a result of technology use in a wider system. The case-studies show that these small companies are not employing sophisticated methods of evaluation to assist in selecting technologies. The observations also demonstrate that the companies are failing to properly assess the impacts of their technology investments and are not adequately developing internal support.
This research condenses the observed issues into a series of recommendations to assist managers in assessing the impact of AMT and develops recommendations configured into a flowchart for staged consideration of issues at an appropriate level of sophistication for small company use.

Case studies of advanced manufacturing technology implementation in small companies

by Andrew Walters

Published in Int. J. Innovation and Technology Management

Issues of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) implementation have been extensively covered in the literature in... more Issues of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) implementation have been extensively covered in the literature in regard to large companies; however, exclusive examination of the impact of AMT on small companies remains under researched. This examination of ten case study companies demonstrates the potential benefits of AMT use, as each of the companies achieved positive outcomes from AMT. However, the benefits achieved did not always meet the companies’ expectations. Analysis of the experiences of the companies indicates the importance of considering the impact of AMT output on the manufacturing process, the levels of pre-existing AMT experience and the availability of external support mechanisms.

Towards the Development of An Advanced Manufacturing Technology Implementation Tool for Small Companies

by Andrew Walters

Proc. of PICMET ’09, Hilton Portland and Executive Tower, Portland, Oregon, USA, 3 – 6 August 2009

This paper describes the development of a concept for an advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) implementation tool... more This paper describes the development of a concept for an advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) implementation tool that specifically addresses small company requirements. The tool is produced in response to the implementation experiences of twelve small companies and recognises that such companies do not have access to the sophisticated investment decision making processes available to large companies. In working towards the development of this tool, this paper covers the benefits that the case-study companies have achieved as a result of AMT and talks about the barriers that these companies have had to overcome to access such benefits. The critical factors that informed the development of the implementation tool were drawn from this analysis of positive and negative impacts.

Classification of flexible manufacturing systems

by Suresh Sethi

Manufacturing Development Strategies: A 2007-2010 National Survey of Policy Tools to Support an Innovative and Sustainable Manufacturing Industry

by Travis Horsley

A Report for the Enterprise Innovation Institute of the Georgia Institute of Technology

Prepared By: Tiffany Eason, Travis Horsley, Boris Patlis, Liam Rattray and Christopher Sherer

The effects of prosthetic ankle dorsiflexion and energy return on below-knee amputee leg loading.

by Jessica Ventura

Ventura, J.D., Klute, G.K. and Neptune, R.R.

Background: Prosthetic devices are intended to return lower limb amputees to their pre-amputation functional status.... more Background: Prosthetic devices are intended to return lower limb amputees to their pre-amputation functional status. However, prosthetic devices designed for unilateral below-knee amputees have yet to completely restore the biomechanical functions normally provided by the ankle muscles leading to gait asymmetries and increased reliance on their intact leg. In an effort to improve amputee gait, energy storage and return feet have been developed that store mechanical energy in elastic structures in early to mid-stance and return it in late stance. However, little is known regarding how ankle compliance and the level of energy return influences walking mechanics. The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of prosthetic ankle dorsiflexion and energy storage and return on leg loading during steady-state walking.

Methods: Compliant ankles with different stiffness levels were attached to a Seattle Lightfoot2 in different orientations (forward- and reverse-facing).

Findings: The ankles decreased residual leg vertical ground reaction forces in late stance, increased residual leg propulsive ground reaction force impulses, and increased residual leg knee joint extensor moments. The reverse-facing ankles increased residual leg vertical ground reaction forces in early stance, and the compliant forward-facing ankle increased residual leg braking impulses. In contrast to previous studies, increased energy storage and return from compliant ankles did not decrease hip joint powers or the intact leg vertical ground reaction forces.

Interpretation: These results provide insight into the relationships between ankle dorsiflexion, energy storage and return, and leg loading, which may lead to more effective prosthetic devices to improve amputee gait.

The effect of prosthetic ankle energy storage and return properties on muscle activity in below-knee amputee walking

by Jessica Ventura

Ventura, J.D., Klute, G.K. and Neptune, R.R.

In an effort to improve amputee gait, energy storage and return (ESAR) prosthetic feet have been developed to provide... more In an effort to improve amputee gait, energy storage and return (ESAR) prosthetic feet have been developed to provide enhanced function by storing and returning mechanical energy through elastic structures. However, the effect of ESAR feet on muscle activity in amputee walking is not well understood. Previous studies have analyzed commercial prosthetic feet with a wide range of material properties and geometries, making it difficult to associate specific ESAR properties with changes in muscle activity. In contrast, prosthetic ankles offer a systematic way to manipulate ESAR properties while keeping the prosthetic heel and keel geometry intact. In the present study, ESAR ankles were added to a Seattle Lightfoot to carefully control the energy storage and return by altering the ankle stiffness and orientation in order to identify its effect on lower extremity muscle activity during below-knee amputee walking. A total of five foot conditions were analyzed: solid ankle (SA), stiff forward-facing ankle (FA), compliant FA, stiff reverse-facing ankle (RA), and compliant RA. The ESAR ankles decreased the activity of muscles that contribute to body forward propulsion and increased the activity of muscles that provide body support. The compliant ankles generally caused a greater change in muscle activity than the stiff ankles, but without a corresponding increase in energy return. Ankle
orientation also had an effect, with RA generally causing a lower change in muscle activity than FA. These results highlight the influence of ESAR stiffness on muscle activity and the importance of prescribing appropriate prosthetic foot stiffness to improve rehabilitation outcomes.

Insert geometry effects on surface roughness in turning process of AISI D2 steel

by Sugoro Bhakti Sutono

Zahari Taha, Hani Kurniati Lelana, Hideki Aoyama, Raja Ariffin Raja Ghazilla, Julirose Gonzales, Novita Sakundarini and Sugoro Bhakti SUTONO
JZUS-A: Applied Physics & Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 12, 966-971, 2010. (ISI/SCOPUS - Cited Publication)